Cold Comfort

Very good, very creepy movie. I went into it thinking about Stephen King's Misery (although I've only read the book, not seen the film), but I forgot about it right away. The performances of the three leads are excellent; I've yet to be disappointed in anything Maury Chaykin has done, and here he's fantastic as the psychopathic, insecure Floyd Lucas. Paul Gross, early in his career (I believe this was his first feature film), is already demonstrating the talent that will help him become one of the most popular actors in Canada. I've never seen Margaret Langrick in any other film, but she was very good in her role as Floyd's damaged and conflicted daughter.

The setting is dark and bleak; the small glimpses of comic relief emphasize the creepiness of the story and the desperateness of Stephen's situation. I'm a fan of psychological thrillers; this was a good one. If you don't like claustrophobic and dark, don't see it, but I recommend it to anyone who does and wants to see the genre done right.

Also, as a response to the reviewer before me: the film is set in Alberta, not Alaska, and Stephen Miller is a travelling salesman, not an escaped convict.